Absalom. My Son, My Son

The Death of Absalom (circa 1447), Pietro di Tommaso del Minella (1391-1458), - tiled floor, south transept of Siena Cathedral

David's words of lament for Absalom sear themselves upon any sensitive heart, "Absalom, my son, my son."

A father's love, tested by a rebellious son who sought to take his throne and his life, endures beyond the battle.

Joab, fighting for his king, David, wounds Absalom with three darts through the heart. Then, Absalom is killed by Joab's armor-bearers.

The word came to David of Absalom's death and  his sorrow is deep.

"O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

From 2 Samuel 18:9-18, in the account of the death of Absalom, comes this rather sad and tragic summary statement of his life, namely that the only remembrance and monument to his life and achievements was the one he built to honor himself.

In almost every important way, that would have been important to him, Absalom is remembered differently, tragically, and negatively.

Seeking one's own honor as a primary goal, generally produces opposite results.

"Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar that is in the King's Valley, for he said, "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance" he called the pillar by his own name. It is called Absalom's Monument to this day."

-------------------------------------------

2 Samuel 18:9-18